eGFR of 39 with only one kidney - cause for concern?

Posted by ebdent88 @ebdent88, May 10 10:57am

I’m 4 months post-complete nephrectomy with an eGFR of 39. Receiving Keytruda infusions every 6 weeks for Stage 3 clear cell renal cell carcinoma in hopes of preventing spread or recurrence. Nephrologist doesn’t seem too concerned about the eGFR rate being 39 or the creatinine level staying at 1.9, but I know those are NOT ideal numbers. Any cause for concern, and also anything I can do to try to improve those numbers?

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 23 8:31pm

@ebdent88, how is your eGFR level? Has your team been monitoring? How are you doing?

ebdent88 | @ebdent88 | May 23 9:10pm

Thanks for asking. My eGFR is still at 39 and creatinine remains at 1.9. Scheduled to see the nephrologist 6/9 (bloodwork 6/2) and have the third cycle of immunotherapy on 6/16 (where they will also do bloodwork). I’ve had more needle sticks in the last 5 months than in the entire 62 years before that LOL. One day at a time …

nejc | @nejc | Sep 20 6:19pm

In reply to @ebdent88 "Thanks for asking. My eGFR is still at 39 and creatinine remains at 1.9. Scheduled to..." + (show)

My husband has stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma. His Oncologist isn’t too concerned with GFR of 45
I have Chronic Kidney Disease and mine is 42, of course yours is lower I see a Nephrologist, he is not concerned with that. I think it needs to be below your 39 before major concern, but it is a bothersome. We get blood work every 3 months. It is very important to follow a specialized diet, and exercise if you are able. Your 1 kidney, usually works as well as two, God gave us 2 of a lot of organs! I just saw I am posting this months later then when you did, what did the Nephrologist say? Did he put you on a new medication?

susanris | @susanris | Sep 21 1:11pm

In reply to @nejc "My husband has stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma. His Oncologist isn’t too concerned with GFR of..." + (show)

I had kidney cancer in 1964-8cm tumor. There was no GFR then! I found that the kidney that functioned at 50% had to grow to pick up additional %. I had a baby in 1968 and another in 1972 and did better with the second pregnancy.
My son was operated in January 2025 for kidney cancer at age 52. He had a lower GFR then; it increased with time. He is getting Keytruda infusions and praise God is doing well.
I hope this helps.